In 1960’s France it was not only shameful to have a baby outside of wedlock but also illegal to have an abortion. So when star student Anne finds herself pregnant after losing her virginity in a one night stand, she is frightened and desperate. Her friends mostly shun her and not even some doctors are either sympathetic or helpful. Failing at school and terrified of “not having a life” she sees a dangerous illegal abortion as her only option.
To say that Happening is a hard watch is an understatement. The subject is obviously a difficult one and some of the scenes are extremely graphic. I have to admit, I had to look away a couple of times. But that rawness does bring home the awful situation that Anne is in in a dramatic and effective way. Director Audrey Diwan intensifies that even more, highlighting how isolated Anne feels by depicting her frequently on her own or detached from others even when on a night out or in a crowded place. Anamaria Vartolomei gives a star-making lead performance as Anne, ensuring that the viewer looks on her sympathetically no matter how sullen or awkward she is.
I guess that some people will be turned off by the almost unremitting harshness of the story. It has none of the comic moments like those found in Vera Drake that covers a similar subject from a different perspective, for example. But I thought it was a terrifically visceral piece of film making.
Rating: 8 out of 10